Quick and simple modification of a poly(dimethylsiloxane) surface by optimized molecular design of the anti-biofouling phospholipid copolymer

The optimal molecular design of an amphiphilic copolymer composed of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) and dimethylsiloxane (DMS) units for modifying a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) surface in a quick and simple manner was developed. Block-and random-type copolymers with three different compositions were each coated on a PDMS surface in a protic solution. The resulting surfaces were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, contact angle measurement. From the results, the random-type copolymer containing 86% hydrophobic DMS unit was the most suitable molecular design to be stably coated on the PDMS surface. From view point of bioengineering application, it was confirmed that for optimal suppression of protein adsorption and cell adhesion on a PDMS surface, the surface should be coated by immersing it in the polymer solutions with a concentration of 30 mg mL(-1) for more than 30 s.